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Books finished in 2026, late July edition
Jul. 28th, 2026 02:55 pmCrikey I'm behind with updating this list! Lots more finished since my last post.
In terms of the new books, the Dante's Inferno graphic novel was a chance spot by Martin in our local public library. As he rightly guessed I might like that! It's a very funny adaptation, with interest-filled visuals and lots to see.
Jenny Colgan's The Christmas Book Hunt was a short read, but fine enough. Including a very unexpected appearance by my "other" home town in the Scottish Borders.
I loved Bryan Talbot's Grandville prequel about detective Stamford Hawksmoor, but with my memory problems struggled to keep up with the complex plot as I'd put the book down one day and pick it up another. The artwork is divine though, and the world building of course. Highly recommended, though it helps if you have a better memory than me.
Emily Tesh's The Incandescent was what I would describe as a school procedural with magic. It's written from the perspective of a teacher in a magic school, and overall I found it frustrating, albeit good in places. It breaks the general tips about how to handle the emotional beats in a novel, but not in a good way. As a result the pacing was often off. And I found the ending extremely unsatisfying. But glad I read.
Seonaid McGurk's beachcombing book is about her finds here in Monifieth and surrounding beaches. Thought provoking. Another Monifieth library borrow.
And, finally, Liza Picard's Restoration London was a reread, nearly three decades after I first read it in print. A good read, with insightful assessment of the historical evidence and a snappy presentation. But some problematic framing aspects, and far too in-depth a later section about law at the time (the author was a qualified lawyer).
- ( earlier books )
- Dante's Inferno graphic novel by Hunt Emerson
- The Christmas Book Hunt by Jenny Colgan
- The Casebook of Stamford Hawksmoor graphic novel by Bryan Talbot
- The Incandescent by Emily Tesh
- A Beachcomber's Journal by Seonaid McGurk
- Restoration London: Everyday Life in the 1660s by Liza Picard
In terms of the new books, the Dante's Inferno graphic novel was a chance spot by Martin in our local public library. As he rightly guessed I might like that! It's a very funny adaptation, with interest-filled visuals and lots to see.
Jenny Colgan's The Christmas Book Hunt was a short read, but fine enough. Including a very unexpected appearance by my "other" home town in the Scottish Borders.
I loved Bryan Talbot's Grandville prequel about detective Stamford Hawksmoor, but with my memory problems struggled to keep up with the complex plot as I'd put the book down one day and pick it up another. The artwork is divine though, and the world building of course. Highly recommended, though it helps if you have a better memory than me.
Emily Tesh's The Incandescent was what I would describe as a school procedural with magic. It's written from the perspective of a teacher in a magic school, and overall I found it frustrating, albeit good in places. It breaks the general tips about how to handle the emotional beats in a novel, but not in a good way. As a result the pacing was often off. And I found the ending extremely unsatisfying. But glad I read.
Seonaid McGurk's beachcombing book is about her finds here in Monifieth and surrounding beaches. Thought provoking. Another Monifieth library borrow.
And, finally, Liza Picard's Restoration London was a reread, nearly three decades after I first read it in print. A good read, with insightful assessment of the historical evidence and a snappy presentation. But some problematic framing aspects, and far too in-depth a later section about law at the time (the author was a qualified lawyer).
